Animal restraining systems



April 3, 1962 E. E. MOSS ANIMAL RESTRAINING SYSTEMS Original Filed Feb.20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 3, 1962 E. E. Moss 3,027,594

ANIMAL RESTRAINING SYSTEMS original Filed Feb. 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent Original application Feb. 21}, 1959, Ser.No. 794,646, new Patent No. 2,912,715, dated Nov. 17, 1959. Divided andthis application Sept. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 837,959

1 Claim. (Cl. 17--45) This invention relates to an animal restraingingsystem or method and more particularly to such a system employed in theslaughtering of animals. This application is a division of myapplication Serial No. 794,646, filed February 20, 1959, now Patent No.2,912,715, dated November 17, 1959.

This invention has been used in connection with the electrical stunningof animals prior to slaughtering but it may be employed in anyslaughtering process. An object of this invention is to provide a novelsystem which substantially completely immobilizes the pig so as torender it incapable of physical resistance and by mechanism Which ishighly reliable in operation.

According to this invention, the animal is caused to proceed along achute which includes a powered belt conveyor. Along a central portion ofthe chute is disposed an adjustable squeeze box which is arranged tointercept the travel of the animal, and to grasp the animal so as torender it substantially immobile while at the same time slightly liftingthe animal above the conveyor belt so that it is free of the movingbelt. The squeezing apparatus does not cause injury to the animal but itis nevertheless restrained against excessive movement. At this time, itmay be slaughtered or stunned, electrically or otherwise.

The invention will be further understood from the following descriptionand drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of therestraining pen;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic front view thereof, partially incross-section;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the squeezebox section; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the animals, in single file, may be introducedonto the moving conveyor belt 111 which serves as a floor, the beltbeing driven as by a motor 11. The structure immediately prior to themoving belt may be largely conventional. For example it may comprise arunway and a vertical sliding gate, both not shown.

As the animal reaches the belt it is carried thereby or it may proceedunder its own power. It shortly reaches the squeeze box section which isdisposed approximately centrally of the belt and comprises thehorizontally elongated walls 12 and 13 which are relatively movableinwardly toward each other as will hereinafter be described.

Referring first to wall 12 it will be observed that it comprises anupper outwardly slanted section 14 which is continuous with a lowervertical section 15. The other wall 13 is similarly shaped, having anupper section 14a and a lower section 15a, so that both walls togetherare normally in the shape of a Y with the vertical portions thereofsubstantially parallel in the normal position of the device and open topermit the animal to be grasped 3,lZ7,594 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 by thewalls, the lower vertical sections 15 and 15a grasping the legs of theanimal.

Walls 12 and 13 are provided on their inner surfaces with an adheredblanket of cushioning material such as foam rubber 16.

It is desirable to adjust the distances between the squeeze box walls 13and 14 in accordance with the type or size of animals being handled.Accordingly, wall 12 is provided with fixed links 17 and 18 the lowerends of which terminate in shoes 19 which may be slid along rail 20.Thus the box width is adjustable by sliding the shoes along rail 20 andthereafter tightening them into desired position as by set screws. As anexample, it has been determined that the normal spacing between theupper ends of the walls 12 and 13 may be from about 36" to 54" while thenormal distance between sections 15 and 15a may be about 9" to 12".

The opposing wall 13 is similarly provided with an adhered foam rubberblanket 21. Wall 13 may be provided with an upper hinge end 22 whichrotatably embraces fixed shaft 23. The lower vertical section of wall 13has connected thereto the piston head 24 and shaft 25 which is actuatedby the pneumatic or hydraulic power cylinder 26.

The mechanism above described operates as follows:

The animal having been led to the conveyor belt 10, proceeds to thecentral section of the conveyor belt 111 into the area of the centrallydisposed squeeze box section. At this time, the operator notes theposition of the animal and causes cylinder 26 to be operated so as toexert inward pressure upon the lower, vertical section of wall 13.

Inasmuch as the wall 13 is swingably connected from the upper shaft 23,the wall 13 tends to rotate somewhat about the shaft 23 and its lowerend describes an are when thus actuated. Thus, in addition to squeezingthe animal while drawing its legs together, the animal is liftedslightly so as to be clear of the moving conveyor belt 11 and it is thusmaintained immobilized and stationary so as to be subjected to theslaughtering process. The walls 12 and 13, being horizontally elongated(about 72" long), substantially the entire length of the animal isgrasped including its head. The head thus being rendered immobile, it iseasy to apply the stunning electrodes or any other means to dispatch theanimal.

After the animal has been rendered unconscious, the cylinder 26 iscaused to retract the piston whereupon the wall 13 correspondinglyretracts and the animal is released onto the conveyor belt iii where, inprone position, it is discharged to a succeeding station.

As noted in FIGURE 2, a platform 30 may be provided upon which theoperator stands. He is thus able to note the position of the animal andis also able to apply the stunning electrodes to the animal.

The foam rubber cushioning material contributes materially inrestraining the animal and immobilizing its head and body withoutinjuring and thereby unduly frightening the animal. As an example, foamrubber of about 6 inches thick has been used successfully. However, itis apparent that alternative cushioning agents may be employed.

There has been shown what is now considered a pre- A ferred embodimentof the invention but it is obivous that changes and omissions may bemade without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

A method of slaughtering an animal While the animal is 5 being conveyedby a moving conveyor belt, said method comprising pressing upwardlyagainst the animals body so as to lift it above the moving conveyorbelt, stunning it, and thereafter dropping it back onto said movingconveyor belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSWiltrnann Apr. 8, 1913 King Sept. 7, 1926 Haggard Sept. 25, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS Great Britain 1896 Germany Aug. 6, 1931

